Yeah, Russia tried to take it at least 5 times over past two years I think. The fact that it crumbled this time is a clear indication of just how much the effective resistance by the AFU has collapsed at this point. Previously, Russian army couldn’t even get close to the city, and this time they were able to just waltz right in largely unopposed.
And afaik Muradov was a bad commander, the new one in that section of the front is extremely competent since it literally fell in a matter of weeks as soon as the battle restarted.
The change in command might’ve played a role here as well, but I suspect Ukraine pulling their best troops and equipment to do a PR stunt in Kursk was the bigger factor.
They don’t really have a choice, they made a big spectacle out of it and now it’s impossible to withdraw politically. Also, would be another signal to their sponsors that the gig is up.
Took a long time, haven’t it?
Yeah, Russia tried to take it at least 5 times over past two years I think. The fact that it crumbled this time is a clear indication of just how much the effective resistance by the AFU has collapsed at this point. Previously, Russian army couldn’t even get close to the city, and this time they were able to just waltz right in largely unopposed.
And afaik Muradov was a bad commander, the new one in that section of the front is extremely competent since it literally fell in a matter of weeks as soon as the battle restarted.
The change in command might’ve played a role here as well, but I suspect Ukraine pulling their best troops and equipment to do a PR stunt in Kursk was the bigger factor.
The fact that they’re still there while every front is collapsing and they’re losing their best beyond me.
Their main advantage was and is propaganda victory pieces for internal and western consumption, as long as that can be maintained it is the priority.
They don’t really have a choice, they made a big spectacle out of it and now it’s impossible to withdraw politically. Also, would be another signal to their sponsors that the gig is up.